How to Write a Conflict

Writing conflict into your story is like adding salt to your soup. Without it, your story might end up bland and uninteresting, but with just the right amount, it can make your narrative come alive. In this post, we'll dig into how to craft conflict that not only drives your plot but also resonates with your readers. From understanding your characters' motivations to weaving in tension that keeps everyone on their toes, we've got you covered with practical tips and examples to help you create compelling conflict in your writing.

Finding the Heart of Your Conflict

At the core of every gripping story is conflict. But what exactly does that mean? Simply put, conflict arises when your characters' goals are threatened. It's the clash between desire and reality. Think of it as the driving force that pushes your narrative forward and compels your readers to keep turning the pages.

To pinpoint the heart of your conflict, start by sketching out what your main characters want and what's standing in their way. Let’s say your protagonist dreams of becoming a world-renowned chef, but they’re stuck in a dead-end job with no time to pursue their passion. The conflict here is clear. Between their current reality and their desired future.

Consider asking yourself these questions:

• What does my character want more than anything?
• What obstacles are blocking their path?
• Who or what is opposing them?

To illustrate, here's a brief example:

Jane was determined to save her family's bakery from bankruptcy, but the new corporate coffee shop opening next door threatened to drive them out of business. Her late nights spent devising new recipes were met with exhaustion and dwindling hope.

In this example, Jane's desire to save the bakery is in direct conflict with the corporate competitor, creating tension and compelling the reader to root for her success.

Character Motivations and Desires

Motivation is the engine that drives conflict. If your characters don't have strong desires or motivations, the conflict will feel flat. Think of motivation as the "why" behind every action your character takes.

Let’s delve into creating compelling motivations:

1. Identify Core Desires: What does your character deeply want? Is it love, freedom, respect, or something else?
2. Understand the Stakes: What will happen if they don’t achieve their goal? The higher the stakes, the more intense the conflict.
3. Reveal Emotional Drivers: Explore their past and personality to understand why this goal matters so much to them.

For example:

Tom longed to reconnect with his estranged son, hoping to mend their fractured relationship before it was too late. Every attempt at reaching out was met with silence, fueling his desperation and regret.

Here, Tom’s motivation to reunite with his son is both personal and emotional, making his struggle relatable and engaging.

External vs. Internal Conflict

Conflict can take shape in many forms, but two primary types are external and internal. Balancing these elements can add depth and richness to your narrative.

External Conflict

External conflict involves outside forces that challenge your characters, such as other people, societal norms, or nature. This type of conflict is often tangible and visible.

Example:

A young soldier must survive the harsh conditions of war while maintaining his humanity amid the chaos.

Internal Conflict

Internal conflict, on the other hand, is an inner struggle within the character. It could be a moral dilemma, fear, or conflicting emotions.

Example:

Sarah grappled with her guilt over leaving her small hometown for a new life in the city, torn between personal ambition and family loyalty.

By weaving both types of conflict into your story, you can create a multifaceted narrative that keeps readers engaged on multiple levels.

Crafting Realistic Conflict

For conflict to feel genuine, it must be realistic and believable. Readers need to buy into the stakes and understand why they matter. Here's how you can achieve that:

• Consistency: Ensure your characters act in ways that align with their established personalities and motivations.
• Complexity: Real conflict is rarely black and white. Introduce layers and nuance to your characters' struggles.
• Consequences: Actions should have repercussions. Let your characters deal with the fallout of their choices.

Consider this example:

Mark's decision to cover up a colleague's mistake at work spirals out of control when he becomes entangled in a web of lies and deceit.

This scenario introduces a complex situation where Mark's initial good intention leads to unforeseen consequences, adding depth to the conflict.

Building Tension and Pacing

Conflict alone isn't enough; you need to build tension and pace it effectively to keep readers hooked. Tension is the emotional strain that arises from conflict, and pacing determines how quickly or slowly the story unfolds.

Here are some techniques to build tension:

• Raise the Stakes: Gradually increase the consequences of failure to amplify tension.
• Introduce Time Constraints: A ticking clock can heighten urgency and pressure.
• Use Cliffhangers: End chapters or scenes with unresolved questions or dilemmas.

And for pacing:

• Vary Sentence Length: Short, punchy sentences can quicken the pace, while longer, descriptive passages can slow it down.
• Alternate Action and Rest: Balance high-intensity scenes with calmer moments to allow readers to catch their breath.

Here's a brief example:

With only hours left before the deadline, Lisa raced against the clock to finish the presentation. Her heart pounded as each second slipped away, and the weight of failure loomed over her.

In this scenario, the time constraint adds immediate tension, while the pacing reflects Lisa's urgency.

Dialogue and Conflict

Dialogue can be a powerful tool for conveying conflict. It reveals character, advances the plot, and can create tension through subtext and emotion.

Here’s how to use dialogue effectively:

• Subtext: What‚Äôs unsaid can be as powerful as what‚Äôs spoken. Let characters hint at deeper conflicts through subtext.
• Emotion: Use dialogue to express frustration, anger, or fear, adding layers to the conflict.
• Dynamic Exchanges: Let dialogue be a battle of wits, where characters challenge and provoke each other.

For example:

"Why didn’t you tell me about the job offer?" John asked, his voice tight.
"I didn’t think it mattered," Mary replied, avoiding his eyes.
"Of course it mattered," he snapped. "It changes everything."

This exchange highlights the tension between John and Mary, using subtext and emotion to convey their conflict.

Resolution and Growth

Every conflict needs a resolution, but it doesn't have to be tidy. The resolution should feel earned and lead to character growth.

Consider these points when resolving conflict:

• Satisfy the Stakes: Address the stakes you‚Äôve set up. Readers need to see how the conflict affects the characters and their world.
• Character Transformation: Let your characters learn and grow from their experiences.
• Leave Room for Ambiguity: Not all conflicts need a neat resolution. Sometimes, leaving questions unanswered can be powerful.

Here's an example:

After years of estrangement, Emily finally wrote to her father, opening the door to reconciliation. Though uncertain of the future, she felt a newfound sense of peace.

In this case, the resolution is open-ended, allowing for future possibilities and highlighting Emily's personal growth.

Using Spell to Enhance Your Writing

Writing conflict can be challenging, especially when you're working to balance all these elements. That's where Spell comes in handy. With our AI-powered document editor, you can brainstorm new ideas, generate drafts quickly, and refine your writing with ease. Imagine having a collaborative tool that helps you shape your narrative, from creating compelling characters to crafting dialogue that sizzles with tension.

With Spell, you can:

• Generate high-quality drafts in seconds, saving you time and effort.
• Edit using natural language prompts, refining your conflict and character arcs.
• Collaborate with others in real-time, getting feedback and making improvements on the fly.

Incorporating Spell into your writing process can streamline your workflow and help you create stories with rich, engaging conflict.

Raising the Stakes with Subplots

Subplots can add depth to your main conflict by introducing additional challenges or perspectives. They can enrich your narrative by providing contrast or highlighting different aspects of your characters.

Here’s how to develop effective subplots:

1. Intertwine with Main Plot: Ensure your subplots are connected to the main conflict, enhancing or complicating it.
2. Explore Themes: Use subplots to delve into themes or questions that resonate with your main story.
3. Develop Supporting Characters: Give secondary characters their own arcs, adding complexity to your world.

For example:

While battling her own insecurities, Sarah helps her friend navigate a difficult breakup, learning important lessons about self-worth and resilience.

In this subplot, Sarah's journey parallels her friend's, providing additional layers to her personal conflict.

Final Thoughts

Crafting conflict that captivates and resonates is an art, one that takes practice and patience. By focusing on character motivations, balancing external and internal struggles, and building tension through dialogue and pacing, you can create a narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. And remember, Spell can be your ally in this process, helping you draft, edit, and refine your work with its intuitive AI features. Happy writing!